Dictionary of Bible Themes Scripture treats human life as a divine gift and something for which humans are responsible. It is thus to be valued and respected. No human being has the right to take the life of another. Genesis 2:7The sanctity of all human life Acts 17:25It proceeds from God Genesis 1:27See also It is precious to God Genesis 4:10-112 Samuel 18:12-13 Matthew 6:25-26 Deuteronomy 22:8 See also It is protected by God Genesis 4:15Numbers 35:11-12 Jeremiah 22:3 Hebrews 9:27 See also Death is by God's appointment Job 14:5Psalms 90:3,5 Exodus 20:13 God prohibits unlawful taking of life See also Matthew 19:18pp Dt 5:17 Romans 13:9Genesis 9:6 So precious is human life that some situations which required the death penalty in the OT are dealt with differently in the NT (e.g., Jn 8:5,11). See also God punishes unlawful taking of life Exodus 21:142 Samuel 12:9 2 Kings 21:16 Genesis 18:10 The sanctity of children's lives Judges 13:3-4Children are planned by God 1 Kings 13:22 Kings 4:16-17 Jeremiah 1:5 Luke 1:13-17,24-25,31-33,35 Psalms 127:3-4 See also Children are precious and to be treasured Genesis 33:5; 48:9Psalms 113:9; 128:3 Genesis 22:10-12 Leviticus 18:21 Child sacrifice is opposed Deuteronomy 12:312 Kings 3:27; 16:3 Psalms 106:38 Isaiah 57:5 pp 2Ch 28:3 Jeremiah 7:30-31; 19:5Ezekiel 16:20-21 Exodus 1:16-17 Acts 7:19 Warnings against murder of children Job 31:15Psalms 22:9; 119:73; 139:13-16 Antenatal life is fully human Isaiah 46:3-4; 49:1,5Jeremiah 1:5 Luke 1:41,44 Luke uses the same words here of an unborn child as he does in 2:12,16 of a newborn child and in 18:15 of little ones: Exodus 21:22-25Amos 1:13 Injury to a pregnant woman is serious Proverbs 23:22The sanctity of old age See also The old are to be respected Leviticus 19:32Job 32:6 Psalms 71:18 1 Timothy 5:1-2 1 Timothy 5:4 See also The old are to be cherished Genesis 47:12-131 Samuel 22:3 John 19:26-27 See also 5023 image of God5040 murder 5067 suicide 5664 children 5725 old age 5731 parents 5766 attitudes, to life 7334 circumcision 7346 death penalty 8273 holiness, ethical aspects of 8469 respect 9020 death |
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